Sherlock Holmes: A Biography of the World's First Consulting Detective

£33.80

Sherlock Holmes: A Biography of the World's First Consulting Detective

Name: Sherlock Holmes: A Biography of the World's First Consulting Detective
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6850
Price: 33.80 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£33.80

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Sherlock Holmes: A Biography of the World's First Consulting Detective, William S. Baring-Gould — 1st Edition

Publication: London, Rupert Hart-Davis, 1962

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 284.

Condition Report: Very Good. The book remains securely bound in the publisher's original blue cloth, which is vibrant with sharp corners, tidy spine ends, and unoxidised silver spine lettering. The text block edges exhibit moderate, age-appropriate foxing and some light top-edge tanning, yet the internal pages are clean, bright, and completely free from previous ownership inscriptions or egregious blemishes. It is housed in its original, unclipped dust jacket, which shows minor rubbing to the extremities, light surface wear to the panels, and slight nicks at the corners, but stands as a highly presentable and structurally sound example.

Catalogue Note: This is the true United Kingdom first edition. The volume is notably well-illustrated for a biographical work of its era, containing nine portraits, a striking facsimile of the Baskerville document, and twenty-one further illustrations scattered throughout the text.

While the American first edition, published the same year under a slightly varied title, survives in substantial numbers, this UK printing is considerably more elusive, particularly when retaining a well-preserved, unclipped dust jacket.

Regarded as a cornerstone of Sherlockian scholarship, William S. Baring-Gould’s inventive biography treats Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary creation not as a mere character of fiction, but as a genuine historical figure. Drawing upon exhaustive research, canonical clues, and brilliant deductive reasoning, Baring-Gould reconstructs the life of the world's first consulting detective from his early years and university days to his storied residence at 221B Baker Street and his eventual retirement in Sussex. An essential and immensely entertaining volume for both devoted Baker Street Irregulars and casual admirers of the great detective.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: William S. Baring-Gould

Book Publisher: Rupert Hart-Davis

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Autobiography, Biography & Memoirs

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 284

Book Publication Year: 1962

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.